Stars, Stripes and Freedom!

‘Lovell’s Days’ kicks into high gear

Patriotic pride has gripped the Lovell community as the Lovell’s Days celebration hits its stride to the theme of Stars, Stripes and Freedom.

Four events have already been held: the golf tournament Saturday, cornhole tournament and trap shoot Tuesday and the first performance of the Mustang Follies Wednesday night.

The annual celebration has some fresh, new events for the people of Lovell to enjoy, most of which are yet to come.

The curtain went up on the always popular Mustang Follies at the Hyart Theatre Wednesday night, and the second performance is set for tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. at the Hyart, preceded by the Dollies of the Follies and the Mustang Band at 6 p.m. in front of the theater on Main Street.

Also returning is the car show sponsored by CARS Street Machines from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday on Oregon Avenue. Car owners may sign in at 5 p.m. Contact Les Files at 272-9354 for more information.

Family Fun Friday

Newly named Family Fun Friday includes the annual breakfast at the fire hall, a new 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Armory Park, a kiddie carnival at Armory Park, a new luminaria lighting ceremony (luminarias on sale now) at the downtown veterans park, the annual Drag Main event, the rodeo Calcutta at the Diamond J Bar, a street dance at the Red Apple parking lot featuring the Cowley Boys and a teen dance at Armory Park.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also hosting a watch party Friday featuring a performance of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square broadcast from the Hollywood Bowl. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the LDS Stake Center, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, and ice cream and cookies will be served.

Earlier in the day, the annual breakfast will be held from 6 to 10 a.m. at the fire hall at $10 for adults and $7 for children, with kids 5 and under free. The breakfast is sponsored by North Big Horn Hospital.

New this year is the 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Armory Park for grades 6-12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Marci Durtsche for information at 307-262-9889.

Formerly known as Family Fun Night, the Kiddie Carnival will also be held at Armory Park from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday for kids age toddler through fifth grade. A participation wristband costs $5.

Luminarias in honor of deceased veterans or family members will be lit at 6 p.m. at the downtown veterans park and are on sale now at the chamber of commerce.

The annual Drag Main event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, one week later than previous years, and the rodeo Calcutta will be held at 8 p.m. at the Diamond J Bar.

Folks can listen and dance to the music of the Cowley Boys from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Red Apple parking lot, and the Teen Street Dance runs from 9 p.m. to midnight at Armory Park.

Busy Saturday

A jam-packed Saturday begins with the breakfast from 6 to 9 a.m. at the fire hall, followed by the Club Dauntless Color Run at 7:30 a.m. Participants can register starting at 7 a.m., and the races begin in front of the Bank of Lovell. A mile run and 5K run will be offered for $10 per participant. Kids 0-11 are free.

A flag raising ceremony at the downtown veterans park sponsored by the Robert Boyd Stewart American Legion Post 11 will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Lovell’s Days Rose Parade at 10 a.m. with lineup at the high school parking lot and check-in at the LDS Seminary building.

A hamburger and hot dog lunch at the Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce building sponsored by Tri-Mountain View Masonic Lodge No. 35 will begin at 11 a.m., and the annual co-ed volleyball tournament at the Armory Park softball field starts at 1 p.m. sponsored by the Lovell Recreation District. The entry fee is $60 per team, and teams can register at www.lovellrecandboces.com. Teams can check in at the park at 12:30 p.m.

The slack rodeo begins at 1 p.m. followed by the main rodeo at 4 p.m. at the Lovell Rodeo Grounds sponsored by the Lovell Rodeo Club. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids and include a Cowley Boys concert following the rodeo.

A barbecue beef nacho pre-fireworks fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m. at the Lovell Middle School parking lot featuring a boat of “old school” barbecue nachos for $5 per boat.

The Pyro Musical Fireworks top off the celebration at dusk at the middle school grass field. There are no reservations for space this year, but donations are encouraged.

For more information, contact the Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce at 548-7552.